Chapter 328
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Seven Holy Swords (3)
"Ugh, what the hell was that light just now—... No way!?"
The light that had engulfed the entire venue faded away—
And shock appeared on Kuzan's face.
"Rishir—and even the holy swords...!!!"
Rishir had vanished.
And with him, all the holy swords gathered in one place.
Did that light that swallowed the venue whisk them away somewhere?
"W-what do we do? We need to take action right now—"
To have something like this happen right after proclaiming the true hero.
Even the master of indomitability and valor, who rarely ever panicked, had his face drain of color this time.
"Calm down."
At that moment.
A group approached Kuzan.
"Ah, you...!"
Upon confirming their faces, relief washed over Kuzan's expression.
Lunadien of the Flower Garden Star.
Guardian Karoer.
Frozen Breath Palrag.
Not only were these titans gathered together, but they maintained perfect composure even in this chaotic situation.
"Do you perhaps have any idea about what's happening right now!?"
The unprecedented incident where the proclaimed true hero had vanished along with the holy swords.
Kuzan desperately needed the archmages' advice more than ever.
"An idea? Oh, we have one."
"Ooh...!"
Kuzan's face brightened with hope as he watched them exchange glances.
As expected of archmages whose names were etched in history.
Their vast knowledge seemed to pierce right through the current crisis.
Kuzan watched them eagerly, eyes shining, awaiting their counsel.
And so time passed—
The archmages' discussion concluded.
Frozen Breath Palrag spoke as their representative.
Kuzan focused his mind, listening intently to the archmage's words.
What mystical wisdom would their answer to this dilemma hold?
"No need to worry. Rishir disappears like this periodically all of a sudden."
"...Pardon?"
Kuzan's expectant eyes blinked in confusion.
The mystery and wisdom in the archmages' response were profound to the point of being gravely serious.
"When was the last time he vanished?"
"You know, that time when he was suddenly summoned to the heretics' secret meeting while observing the item Giman sent—"
"Ah! We got really lucky then!"
"Black mages fully immersed in the great demon's power had all gathered in one place."
"..."
Kuzan felt a mild wave of dizziness.
'Why the hell was that lucky?'
Was it because they were archmages?
Their conversation was filled with so much specialized knowledge that he couldn't follow at all.
"Anyway. Rishir will come back on his own when the time comes, so we just need to stay put and do our jobs."
"...So, you're saying we should do nothing and just sit tight— Is that for real?"
It was.
The spectators(?) who had filled one side of the venue were returning to their daily routines as if nothing had happened.
"Stop! Everyone, halt right now! Are you all in your right minds!? We need to approach this matter with utmost seriousness!"
Kuzan finally raised his voice, unable to hold back.
It seemed they had grown far too complacent from the trust Rishir had earned them.
To have such a carefree attitude in a situation like this!
Kuzan's bold ego, momentarily subdued, regained its original vigor.
He thought.
If things had come to this, he would have to step up and lead them.
"Don't be reckless."
"...!"
A cold voice snapped Kuzan out of it.
"Most people here are experts with expertise you can't even touch. Wouldn't it be wise for you to respect their opinions?"
Kuzan gritted his teeth.
Frozen Breath.
He now faced the rumored blue archmage in person.
There wasn't even the slightest gap to exploit in that authoritative demeanor, solid as hardened ice.
However.
The indomitable hero Kuzan was not one to stay silent before unjust authority.
"I dare not deny that you are a great mage. However. What does your magical expertise have to do with this incident! Holy swords are a completely separate realm from magic!"
"Why are you suddenly bringing up magic?"
"Pardon?"
"I was talking about expertise on Rishir."
Frozen Breath Palrag's expression turned stern.
He was an archmage who found it more unpleasant to have his expertise on Rishir questioned than his magical prowess.
"Remember this. To us, you're nothing more than a newborn babe taking its first steps here. If you want to discuss Rishir on equal footing with me, you'll need far more experience than you can imagine! Until then, don't even think of challenging my authority!"
"..."
Kuzan was utterly speechless.
Expertise on Rishir? What the hell did that even mean?
"You all are the same."
Palrag turned a chilling gaze like a cold blade toward the other heroes.
"I'll respect your positions as heroes as much as possible, but don't misinterpret that goodwill and cross the line."
Heroes.
Even those chosen by the holy swords seemed like mere greenhorns before the stern blue archmage.
His icy tone acted like a magical incantation, establishing the hierarchy among them as it was.
"..."
Kuzan clenched his teeth in frustration but couldn't open his mouth in the end.
Shelroa averted her gaze, not wanting to stir up needless conflict.
And—
"If you know so much about Rishir, mind if I ask you something?"
The hero of blessing, Roera.
She spoke to Palrag.
"Rishir. I heard he was staying here—where's the room he uses?"
"That's none of your business. To begin with, that's not a place an outsider like you can just barge into."
Palrag's cold warning.
Roera turned her head and clicked her tongue.
"If even I can't go in, then who the hell can?"
It wasn't an attitude the authoritative and stern archmage would take kindly to.
"Hey, hero of blessing—"
The heroes hurriedly tried to restrain her.
They had surely realized what kind of person the blue archmage was from the flow of events.
And yet, such an emotional outburst?
"You're young. Far too young. Do you think being the master of a holy sword permits any behavior you want?"
"Who said anything about entering his room as a hero?"
Before they knew it, a chilling wind like a knife's edge swirled through the venue.
The blue archmage's anger had taken form.
"Then what?"
"I just wanted to take a peek at where my brother stays."
"!!!"
The blue archmage's eyes widened in shock.
The heroes rushed to mediate before things escalated further.
"You're Rishir's little sister!? You should have said so sooner!"
Crack.
The ice shattered.
There stood a doting grandfather figure, grinning like he was looking at his grandchild.
"In that case, no time to waste here! Come on! Follow me! I'll give you a tour of the estate myself!"
The blue archmage suddenly became a different person, beckoning the hero of blessing.
"..."
The heroes' thoughts grew complicated.
Was being Rishir's sister greater than being the master of a holy sword?
"Hm."
Come to think of it, it seemed that way.
They accepted it.
And just as they were about to return to their positions, leaving behind the vanished Rishir—
"Huh!?"
Someone's shout.
"Rishir!?"
Before they knew it, he was back in his original spot.
Along with the several holy swords.
"What happened!?"
Those who were about to leave rushed back to Rishir, demanding an explanation.
"Ah, I just—forgot something!"
Rishir said that and hurriedly headed somewhere.
A moment later.
When he returned, he held the remaining two demon swords in his hands.
"Well then, everyone. I'll be off now!"
Flash!
"Rishir!?"
Before they knew it, he had vanished again.
Along with the several holy swords.
"..."
A peculiar silence hung over the venue for a while.
Soon, Palrag broke the silence.
"What did I say? No need to worry."
The archmage looked prouder than ever as he spoke.
The heroes felt a chill of fear.
'If I stay here, will I end up like that too!?'
"Here! These are the demon swords I mentioned."
As Rishir held up the demon swords, the figure of light leaned forward to examine them.
Next, Curse.
Then, Beast.
-...
A moment later.
Lu-Rakh slumped forward, arm propped on the table, deep in contemplation.
-Why?
At first, Lu-Rakh couldn't believe Rishir's story.
A sword reeking of advancing aura was a demon sword?
A sword equipped with functions even its creator didn't know about was a holy sword?
It was only natural to suspect some grave misunderstanding.
But.
When Rishir showed him the other two demon swords, the story changed.
The first one he obtained: Beast.
The next: Curse.
And finally: Dominion.
The advancing auras proportional to the time spent with them—
Seemed to explain how the Beast had evolved into an advancing sword.
-...
In the end.
Lu-Rakh had no choice but to acknowledge it.
The holy swords.
The beings he had created had escaped his control.
And fallen into the hands of a new master.
-...
At the end of his anguish, Lu-Rakh let out a small chuckle.
-So that's it... Is this what you meant... Lindal...
Rishir's eyes widened.
'Lindal?'
It was none other than the name of the first hero.
The name of the seven holy swords' master, spoken from the creator's mouth.
Thump!
Rishir felt a massive current pulling him in.
-O bearer.
Before he knew it, the figure of light was staring straight at Rishir.
-Tell me your name.
"Rishir. My name is Rishir."
Rishir.
The hero, Rishir.
Lu-Rakh mulled over the name before speaking.
-Hero Rishir. I ask of you. Will you please carry on his will?
The first hero, Lindal.
The name was properly uttered from Lu-Rakh's mouth once more.
"The first hero's will..."
Rishir felt his mouth go dry.
He had vaguely anticipated it, but facing it head-on, the weight was something else entirely.
To inherit the will of history's greatest hero.
Rishir fell into contemplation.
Lu-Rakh did not press him.
He knew how grave the proposal he had made was.
He hadn't even expected an immediate answer.
At the very least, it would require over a week of deliberation.
With that, Lu-Rakh began preparing to send Rishir back to the real world.
-I understand. You'll need a lot of time to think. However. Don't take too long. Give me your answer within the next week—
"Hell, why not. Let's give it a shot."
-...
Rishir snapped out of his thoughts, interrupting Lu-Rakh.
"Pardon? What did you just say?"
-Are you sure you can decide so easily? Do you know what burden will be placed upon you?
"What choice do I have? Right now, I'm the only one who can inherit his will, aren't I?"
Lu-Rakh was left speechless for various reasons by Rishir's overly carefree attitude.
Of course.
There was no reason to take it negatively.
It was a hero's quality in its own right.
-Very well.
Lu-Rakh extended his hand to Rishir.
"..."
Rishir glanced between him and the hand before grasping it.
The world flipped upside down.
"Huh? You...!"
Rishir snapped to attention at the voice coming from somewhere.
His gaze turned toward the source.
In that instant.
Strength gathered around Rishir's eyes.
"You're..."
An unfamiliar face.
Yet for some reason—
She seemed familiar somehow—
A girl with a timid impression.
With a hunch, Rishir tentatively asked.
"By any chance, are you Felix's holy sword—the holy sword of insight, Pocheona?"
"Huh? H-how did you—how did you know?"
The girl covered her mouth with both hands in surprise.
But only for a moment.
She quickly composed herself and spoke gravely.
"If you're here, that means—"
"Yes. I just spoke with him until moments ago. And—I conveyed my intent. To the first hero Lindal. That I will carry on his will."
"..."
Various emotions flickered across Pocheona's face.
Felix.
A tinge of loneliness appeared as she murmured her master's name—
But she soon shook her head, dispelling it.
"Thank you. Because it's you. If it's you—the other heroes will accept it too."
"Other heroes?"
Pocheona grabbed one of Rishir's hands.
And pointed to the opposite side with her other hand.
"Will you come with me? Everyone's waiting for the hero."
Rishir followed her down a dark corridor.
At the end, a round table came into view.
Most of the seats were already filled.
"...So it really is you—"
A woman with a sharp, irritable look sighed from one of the seats.
Elysia, the holy sword of transcendence.
Next—
"Ah, it's you...!"
A woman with long bangs covering her forehead fidgeted upon seeing Rishir.
The holy sword of sealing, Rohra, greeted him.
"...Who the hell is that guy?"
Ripples spread across the stern middle-aged man's face.
The holy sword of indomitability greeted him.
"That damn Kuzan. No way—"
A man with a frivolous air slammed the table.
The holy sword of valor greeted him.
"Now, everyone's gathered here."
Pocheona sorted out the chaotic atmosphere stirred by Rishir's arrival.
"No, wait a second."
"Hm? What's wrong, Elysia?"
"Those guys haven't arrived yet."
"Those guys? Oh—"
Pocheona's gaze turned to the still-empty seats.
The seats for Advancing and Blessing.
At that moment.
Footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond Advancing's seat.
Everyone anticipated Advancing's arrival and voiced their guesses.
"Why are you so late—"
Elysia's irritable shout cut off midway.
"...Who?"
With every step, her hair swayed, faintly revealing her nude form through the strands.
A woman who had draped her overflowing, lush black hair around her body like a dress.
The woman, hesitantly looking around, lit up with joy the moment she spotted Rishir.
"Ah, O bearer...!"
A cautious movement blending joy and fear.
She tentatively reached out a hand, then withdrew it.
It was Beast.
"..."
Rishir unwittingly covered his face with his palm.
"Agh, Curse."